{"691698":{"#nid":"691698","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society Names Simon Sponberg Associate Director for Interdisciplinary Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) has appointed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/simon-sponberg\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg\u003C\/a\u003E as associate director for Interdisciplinary Research, where he will help foster collaborations, support emerging research initiatives, and advance interdisciplinary neuroscience research across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched in 2025, INNS serves as a hub for neuroscience and neurotechnology research, connecting researchers across disciplines to advance discovery, innovation, and societal impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA core part of INNS\u0027s mission is helping people find one another, connect around shared interests, and build something bigger than they could accomplish alone,\u201d says Executive Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/christopher-rozell\u0022\u003EChristopher Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cSimon has spent his career bringing together people, perspectives, and disciplines to tackle complex challenges. I can\u0027t think of a better person to help lead our interdisciplinary research efforts and support the next generation of collaborative neuroscience research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA longtime leader in Georgia Tech\u0027s neuroscience community, Sponberg helped shape the institute\u0027s early foundations through the Neuro Next Initiative, which evolved into INNS. As associate director, he will help guide research strategy, foster new collaborations, and support interdisciplinary work across the neuroscience ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeuro-related research touches so many fields that we inevitably have a problem of finding all the potential right people and opportunities to tap into,\u201d he said. \u201cA core responsibility of this role is helping catalyze the ideas of new teams of talented researchers, educators, and trainees from inception to realization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESponberg is the Glen Robinson Professor in Complex Systems with appointments in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, where he directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sponberg.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EAgile Systems Lab\u003C\/a\u003E. His work also connects him to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioresearch.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E (IBB) and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/robotics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines\u003C\/a\u003E (IRIM), underscoring the cross-disciplinary approach that defines both his research and leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince joining Georgia Tech in 2014, he has built a highly collaborative research program spanning neuroscience, biology, physics, engineering, and robotics while helping foster interdisciplinary connections across campus. He currently leads a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2022\/04\/18\/mathematics-physics-use-moths-and-origami-structures-innovative-defense-research\u0022\u003EMultidisciplinary University Research Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E (MURI) that brings together neuroscientists and engineers from five universities to understand how brains achieve fast, flexible perception and decision-making in complex sensory environments. He also co-leads the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-partners-15m-nsf-grant-explore-muscle-dynamics\u0022\u003EIntegrative Movement Sciences Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, an NSF Biological Integration Institute focused on understanding movement and muscle function across scales.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including a Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Neuroethology, a Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship in the Neurosciences, and the Leddy Family Dean\u2019s Faculty Excellence Award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs associate director, Sponberg will focus on helping researchers identify new opportunities for connection and collaboration. In addition to overseeing seed funding programs, he hopes to create pathways for researchers to build teams, access support resources, pursue ambitious interdisciplinary research ideas, and team with Georgia Tech\u2019s undergraduate and graduate neuroscience degree programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI look forward to being a resource for our community when people are looking for help in building teams or finding opportunities to support their ideas,\u201d he said. \u201cBring your best ideas and please reach out if you want to talk about ideas in the interdisciplinary neuro space that you want to see realized.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researcher and longtime neuroscience community leader will help catalyze new collaborations and research opportunities across the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS).\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Tech researcher and longtime neuroscience community leader will help catalyze new collaborations and research opportunities across the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-08-14 20:32:01","changed_gmt":"2026-08-14 20:50:42","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680883":{"id":"680883","type":"image","title":"Simon-Headshot.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to his new leadership role at INNS, Simon Sponberg leads a multidisciplinary research program spanning neuroscience, biology, physics, engineering, and robotics.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1786739533","gmt_created":"2026-08-14 20:32:13","changed":"1786739533","gmt_changed":"2026-08-14 20:32:13","alt":"Simon Sponberg smiling in front of a whiteboard.","file":{"fid":"265215","name":"Simon-Headshot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/14\/Simon-Headshot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/14\/Simon-Headshot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2798844,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/14\/Simon-Headshot.jpg?itok=7P3QbQBX"}}},"media_ids":["680883"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/lab-life-inside-institute-neuroscience-neurotechnology-and-society","title":"From Lab to Life: Inside the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2022\/04\/18\/mathematics-physics-use-moths-and-origami-structures-innovative-defense-research","title":"Mathematics, Physics Use Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-partners-15m-nsf-grant-explore-muscle-dynamics","title":"Georgia Tech Partners on $15M NSF Grant to Explore Muscle Dynamics"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691432":{"#nid":"691432","#data":{"type":"news","title":"IMS Selects Seven Interdisciplinary Projects for 2026 Funding","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/a\u003E (IMS) has selected seven interdisciplinary research projects for funding, including one new research initiative, one new program, and one new center. IMS will also provide renewed funding to three research initiatives and one program to support their continued growth and impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIMS focuses on transformational technologies and societal systems that arise where innovative materials, devices, and processes meet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTransformative interdisciplinary research takes time to develop, and a second year of funding gives these teams the opportunity to build on early successes, expand collaborations, and demonstrate the impact of their work,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-vogel\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of IMS. \u201cThis continued investment helps researchers establish a strong foundation, achieve key milestones, and position promising initiatives to grow into larger, sustainable research programs capable of attracting significant external support.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe funded projects come from four colleges and eight schools across Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). IMS selected these projects based on their innovative approaches, potential impact, and alignment with the IMS mission to push the boundaries of science and technology. They will receive funding, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and other support from the institute to bring their research to life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIMS supports interdisciplinary research both in nationally recognized areas of need and those just emerging. It scaffolds research from the ground up, from seed funding for new initiatives to infrastructure support for research programs and embedded support for research centers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2026 research initiatives and programs include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EResearch Initiatives:\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExtreme-Environment Microelectronics\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E| Nima Ghalichechian, John Cressler, Farrokh Ayazi, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMultifunctional Materials for Efficient Buildings\u003C\/strong\u003E | Akanksha Menon, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrecision Agriculture in Controlled Environments\u003C\/strong\u003E | Antonio Facchetti, School of Materials Science and Engineering; Yongsheng Cheng, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Anju Toor, School of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Thermoregulation Strategies for Climate Change Resilience\u003C\/strong\u003E | Matthew Flavin, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Joe Bozeman, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Noura Howell, School of Literature, Media and Communication\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Programs:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAutonomous Research for Materials\u003C\/strong\u003E | Mark Losego, School of Materials Science and Engineering; Shreyas Kousik, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering; Animesh Garg, School of Interactive Computing\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Center for Semiconductor and Computing\u003C\/strong\u003E | Asif Khan, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering; Divya Mahajan, School of Computer Science and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Center:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQuantum Applications Research Center\u003C\/strong\u003E | Martin Mourigal, School of Physics; Robert Wylie, Georgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/research-overview\u0022\u003ELearn more about IMS\u2019s research focuses and see a full list of its centers, programs, and initiatives.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems will provide support for three new and four renewed research projects to advance materials, devices, and processes.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Institute for Matter and Systems will provide support for three new and four renewed research projects to advance materials, devices, and processes."}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-08-04 17:19:05","changed_gmt":"2026-08-07 13:01:04","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"670830":{"id":"670830","type":"image","title":"Marcus Nanotechnology Building","body":null,"created":"1684353022","gmt_created":"2023-05-17 19:50:22","changed":"1684353077","gmt_changed":"2023-05-17 19:51:17","alt":"Marcus Nanotechnology Building","file":{"fid":"253766","name":"14C10042-P1-117.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/05\/17\/14C10042-P1-117.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/05\/17\/14C10042-P1-117.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2902337,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/05\/17\/14C10042-P1-117.jpg?itok=Albu8ej-"}}},"media_ids":["670830"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"660410","name":"Quantum"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691210":{"#nid":"691210","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Launches New Sustainable Lab Certification ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Office of Research Operations, is launching Georgia Tech\u2019s first \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainable-lab-certification\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESustainable Lab Certification\u003C\/a\u003E program, which will provide a framework for campus laboratories to implement practical, high-impact sustainability measures. Labs earn recognition for their efforts through tiered certification levels \u2014 bronze, silver, or gold \u2014 based on the number and results of practices implemented. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn average, labs use four times more water and 10 times more energy than office spaces. This disproportionate impact makes laboratories some of the best places for reducing institutional energy use. Small actions can have a big effect; for example, increasing the setpoint of ultra-low temperature freezers by 10 degrees Celsius can reduce the device\u2019s energy use by 30% and save over $150 per year per freezer. (That figure is derived from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mygreenlab.org\/the-beaker-blog\/8-ways-to-save-energy-in-the-lab\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/mygreenlab.org\/the-beaker-blog\/8-ways-to-save-energy-in-the-lab\/\u003C\/a\u003E and Georgia Power billing documents.)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore Sustainable Lab Certification, some campus labs had begun exploring reduced energy, water, and materials consumption through My Green Lab certification, a pilot program also sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShweta Biliya, a research scientist in the Molecular Evolution Core Lab, explained that while My Green Lab offered a helpful framework, translating certification requirements into actionable steps for her lab was difficult without local examples or tailored support. \u201cNow that we have a resource on campus, it\u2019s extremely helpful in that initial stage,\u201d she said. \u201cIt helps you see how to approach everything, get support, and make it feel possible.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiliya hopes more laboratories across campus will participate in Sustainable Labs Certification, helping to create a shared culture of sustainable research at Georgia Tech. \u201cIt might feel like one lab doesn\u2019t make a difference, but when every lab contributes in small ways, it really adds up,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA Sustainable Lab Certification information and celebration session will take place in September. To learn more about the program, visit the Sustainable Labs page at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainable-labs\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainable-labs\/\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECampus labs have a new pathway to strengthen sustainable operations through a campus comprehensive certification program.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Campus labs have a new pathway to strengthen sustainable operations through a campus comprehensive certification program."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-07-22 17:46:33","changed_gmt":"2026-08-04 15:46:01","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680673":{"id":"680673","type":"image","title":"Molecular Evolution Core Lab ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearch technician Myles Hilson (left) and research scientist Shweta Biliya (right) of the Molecular Evolution Core Lab stand in front of TipCycle program equipment. TipCycle collects, sterilizes, and returns pipette tips to labs, reducing costs and decreasing plastic waste.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784926218","gmt_created":"2026-07-24 20:50:18","changed":"1784926218","gmt_changed":"2026-07-24 20:50:18","alt":"Molecular Evolution Core Lab ","file":{"fid":"264964","name":"Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-4.41.24-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/24\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-4.41.24-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/24\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-4.41.24-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3356878,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/24\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-4.41.24-PM.png?itok=Jjm-cw4M"}}},"media_ids":["680673"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"},{"id":"195199","name":"sustainable lab certification"},{"id":"8254","name":"Administration and Finance"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDrew Cutright\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDirector of Sustainability Engagement\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Drew.cutright@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691342":{"#nid":"691342","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A New Era of Black Hole Detection","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe LIGO\u2013Virgo\u2013KAGRA (LVK) detector network comprises three centers across the globe. The United States hosts twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, one located at Hanford Observatory in Washington State and a second at Livingston Observatory in Louisiana. The Virgo detector is hosted by the European Gravitational Observatory in Italy, and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave (KAGRA) detector is hosted in Japan by the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR) of the University of Tokyo.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech play a key role in the international collaboration. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/ligo\/people\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech-LIGO research group\u003C\/a\u003E includes\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/laura-cadonati\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELaura Cadonati\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/surabhi-sachdev\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESurabhi Sachdev\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Scientist\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/margaret-millhouse\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMargaret Millhouse\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Postdoctoral Scholar\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPrathamesh Joshi\u003C\/strong\u003E, eight graduate students, and multiple undergraduates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe LVK network detects gravitational waves when a massive cosmic event \u2014 like the collision of two black holes \u2014 creates invisible ripples in the fabric of space-time. Waves ripple out at the speed of light, and millions of years after the events that first created them, they reach the LVK detectors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBut detecting gravitational waves does not simply mean capturing a signal \u2014 clues first need to be untangled from background noise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIdentifying gravitational-wave signals requires carefully separating real astrophysical events from random fluctuations in the data,\u201d says School of Physics graduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/urja-shah\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUrja Shah\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, whose work to quickly identify phenomena supports rapid follow-up by the broader astronomical community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo support the identification of phenomena, School of Physics graduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/megan-arogeti\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMegan Arogeti\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E conducts consistency tests between waveforms, checking results to find unexpected or unusual features. \u201cTests like this give us confidence in our models as we continue to observe gravitational waves with increasing sensitivity,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey support new observations and help identify exciting new physics.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThese efforts help ensure that gravitational-wave signals are robustly identified and accurately characterized, turning each detection into a precise measurement,\u201d adds Shah. \u201cIn turn, these measurements deepen our understanding of some of the most massive and dense objects in the universe and the fundamental laws governing the cosmos.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAstrocalibration Autotune\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen a sensor detects a gravitational wave, it produces a distinctive response, says School of Physics graduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/shobhit-ranjan\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShobhit Ranjan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThose signals encode a wealth of information we can analyze to learn about their sources \u2014 their masses, spins, distance, and location.\u201d But in order to detect these chirps, the detectors must be carefully calibrated, and if calibration is not optimal, the signals can be compromised.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENow,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ligo.org\/gravitational-wave-detectors-can-now-autotune-their-signals\/\u0022\u003Ea new tool\u003C\/a\u003E is helping the LVK collaboration recalibrate less optimal signals.\u0026nbsp;The technique is already showing promise: In\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prl\/accepted\/10.1103\/gzrj-mwv3\u0022\u003Ean article recently accepted in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EPhysical Review Letters\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, LVK researchers successfully applied it to two interesting signals. The first signal served as a testing opportunity for the method. The team used astrocalibration to recover the data and check it against secondary independent calibration data that was available. They then put the technique to use, recovering information from a second event where no secondary calibration data were available.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cLike autotune in the music industry, the new research shows that theoretical models can be used as guides, similar to how sheet music can help a studio shift off-key music to its correct tone,\u201d Ranjan explains. \u201cThese theoretical models suggest the shape of the signal, and together with data from other detectors, we can adjust the data and read it correctly.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe fact that these detectors can now not only sense cosmic events, but leverage them to improve the data being collected marks a new era in gravitational wave science,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA Record-Setting Dataset\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe LVK Collaboration also\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ligo.caltech.edu\/news\/ligo20260526\u0022\u003Epublished their fifth catalog of gravitational wave events\u003C\/a\u003E this spring. The findings include an updated estimate of how fast the universe is expanding, evidence for the existence of second-generation black holes, the most precise sky localization ever achieved for a gravitational wave source, and the first measurement of three vibrational modes of a black hole.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur group helped enable 140 detections out of the 161 reported in this catalog,\u201d says Joshi, who contributed to one of the flagship searches and designed a specialized search focused on detecting especially heavy black hole mergers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EJoshi also worked on determining precise locations of where the gravitational waves originated from in the universe \u2014 research that he says will allow astronomers around the world to perform long-term follow-up observations of interesting events.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne record-setting detection showed two black holes that had violently collided more than 3 billion light-years from Earth. Researchers were able to pinpoint its location in the sky more precisely than any other gravitational wave event observed before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EImprovements in the LVK network\u2019s ability to localize events along with the large number of detections allowed for a better estimate of the Hubble constant, which measures the rate at which the universe is expanding. The new measurement is over 25% more precise than previous estimates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new catalog also includes the \u201cclearest\u201d gravitational wave signal ever detected. The clarity of the signal led to the most accurate test of general relativity ever performed and confirmation of Stephen Hawking\u2019s black hole area theorem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis catalog provides not just the largest number of black hole detections, it marks a new era of rapid progress,\u201d Sachdev says. \u201cThis is just the beginning of what these observations will allow us to uncover.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFrom new calibration tools to a record-breaking catalog of detections, the LIGO\u2013Virgo\u2013KAGRA (LVK) detector network is leading the way in gravitational wave science.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"From new calibration tools to a record-breaking catalog of detections, the LIGO\u2013Virgo\u2013KAGRA (LVK) detector network is leading the way in gravitational wave science."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-07-29 18:01:53","changed_gmt":"2026-07-31 14:45:16","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680716":{"id":"680716","type":"image","title":"An artist\u0027s concept showing a black hole. (Credit: NASA\/JPL)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn artist\u0027s concept showing a black hole. (Credit: NASA\/JPL)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785348119","gmt_created":"2026-07-29 18:01:59","changed":"1785348119","gmt_changed":"2026-07-29 18:01:59","alt":"An artist\u0027s concept showing a black hole. (Credit: NASA\/JPL)","file":{"fid":"265021","name":"black-hole.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/29\/black-hole.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/29\/black-hole.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":222604,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/29\/black-hole.jpg?itok=kXTyscxE"}}},"media_ids":["680716"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ligo.org\/science-summaries\/gw240925-gw250207-astro-calibration\/","title":"Tuning our detectors using cosmic collisions"},{"url":"https:\/\/ligo.org\/gwtc-5-0-updated-ligo-virgo-kagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-wave-astronomy\/","title":"GWTC-5.0: Updated LIGO\u2013Virgo\u2013KAGRA Catalog sets new records in precision gravitational wave astronomy"},{"url":"https:\/\/ligo.org\/gravitational-wave-detectors-can-now-autotune-their-signals\/","title":"Gravitational wave detectors can now \u2018autotune\u2019 their signals"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ETechnical Research Writer \/ Editor\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}